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[TiCam]

BY YAMICHE ALCINDOR

Several times a week Volny Augustin takes a two-hour bus ride from his Miramar home to Notre Dame d'Haiti Catholic Church in Little Haiti.

Augustin is among thousands of Haitians helping raise money for the church's new building.

"I gave money to the church because I have a spiritual mission," Augustin said in Creole. "This church is important not only to people here but to the Haitian diaspora and people still living in Haiti ."

Two years ago, the Little Haiti church faced an uphill battle to raise $2 million -- its 4,200 parishioners had outgrown the building once home to a school auditorium. Now, thanks to fundraising efforts that have galvanized Haitians across political, religious, and economic lines, Notre Dame d'Haiti has reached two-thirds of the goal.

Today, the church will host a cultural festival in a bid to get ever closer to the $2 million goal. The event, organized by Concerned Citizens to Build Notre Dame d'Haiti Church , will feature Haitian food, games, art and musicians.

Whether collecting pennies, setting aside $10 a week, or convincing business leaders to donate thousands of dollars, Haitians from all walks of life are dedicating themselves to helping give Notre Dame d'Haiti Catholic Church a new home.

The Rev. Reginald Jean-Mary, the church administrator, said Haitians from several churches -- including Baptist churches in South Florida -- have donated to Notre Dame's building fund.

"We [Haitians] have always been fighting and arguing with one another," Jean-Mary said. "This is the time to come together. There's a sense of pride here. It's not always about asking other people. Building this church means we can get together to do something good."

The Archdiocese of Miami has agreed to match the church's funds with a loan, he said. Notre Dame will eventually have to come up with another $2 million to repay the archdiocese.

For many, the call to help the church is a spiritual one.

Marie O Cuis Jean, a South Beach hotel worker, said she gives money whenever possible. Sometimes, she must sit outside with others on folding chairs for service because of the church's limited space for its growing community of worshipers. The former school auditorium can only accommodate 900 people.

"Every time I have something, I give the church $10 or $15," she said in Creole. "This church is our life. If we have problems, this is where we go to pray."

When Myriam Nader heard of the church's need, she didn't hesitate to help. Never mind that she wasn't a church member, had never seen the church, and was in the middle of a move to New York . Her donation: thousands of dollars raised from businesses.

"It's like saying thank you, God," said Nader, who attends St. Timothy Catholic Church in Southwest Miami . "It's the right thing to do. Regardless of politics, regardless of race, regardless of all the things that divide us [Haitians]. It's important that we get together to do something positive."

As an Arab-Haitian and critic of Haiti's former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Nader said she knows first hand how race and politics often divide Haitians.

But she believes in the church. "It's a place of refuge for Haitians to pray, socialize, and get much needed services," said Nader, who sells Haitian art.

Jean Mapou, treasurer of Concerned Citizens to Build Notre Dame d'Haiti Church, said he hopes the new church will stand as a symbol of Haitians' passion.

"Everyone benefits from the church somehow -- whether it's religious or social," he said.

Mapou's donation: time, and an undisclosed amount from his business.

"This church will be a new cultural monument planted in the heart of Little Haiti," he said. "It will symbolize the Haitian community."

In the past, the church did everything from selling calling cards to hosting a Miss Notre Dame d'Haiti pageant to bring in dollars. Past gifts include several $10,000 donations from local Haitian doctors who prefer to remain anonymous.

Recently, Flore Lindor-Latorture, a former radio host of WDNA 88.9-FM, worked to encourage several radio hosts to donate free air time for "radiothons" to get callers to pledge money to the church. With the help of several radio hosts from WLQY 1320-AM, WOCN 1450-AM, WSRF 1580-AM, and WRHB 1020-AM, callers pledged more than $12,600.

Last year the church received $300,000, its largest gift yet, from Arun Krishna Puri, a Miami real estate developer.

In the 1980s, Haitians gathered in a school auditorium. Now, 25 years later, Haitians, united by their love of God and nationality, pray for a new chapter.

Said Nader: "Haitians have to be united. If we're not united we will be weak. Like our anthem says, we have to put our heads together and do something good."